Maybe you learned a lot about it in high school. Or depending on where you went to school, maybe you did not learn much.

Either way, you know the word: History.

When you travel to other countries, you can uncover a lot about their history by visiting their museums. Just recently I spent a week in Berlin and was astonished almost every day by how much of the German past (much of it horrifying) was revealed in the city’s museums.

It’s hard to believe, but Canada has never really had a national museum about its history. So when I returned from my trip, I was delighted to find that the federal government had announced it was providing $25 million so that the Canadian Museum of Civilization in Ottawa could be transformed into the Canadian Museum of History.

Torontonians who want to learn more about it, and express their views on what should be included, are urged to turn up on Dec. 11 at the Toronto Reference Library at 789 Yonge St., where a public consultation starts at 7 p.m., with a panel followed by round-table discussions. Mark O’Neill, CEO of the museum, will be present, and international museum consultant Gail Lord will be the moderator.

My reaction upon hearing about the transformation: “Hurray! It’s about time.”

But then to my embarrassment I was made aware that mine was not the politically correct position articulated by freedom-loving intellectuals.

What’s not to like?

Well, it was not until I checked the website of the Canadian Association of University Teachers that I realized this proposed change of name and focus for the best-attended museum in Canada is all part of a vile conspiracy led by Stephen Harper with a secret agenda of brainwashing millions of unsuspecting citizens into scary nationalists.

A press release from the ministry of Canadian Heritage explains that the mandate of this spectacular museum, which opened in 1989, is being changed. It’s one of the government’s ways of marking the 150th anniversary of Confederation in 2017, which is when the museum will show off its new look.

The Museum of History, according to the Heritage press release, will highlight the national achievements and accomplishments that have shaped our country, including the Last Spike, Rocket Richard’s jersey and Terry Fox memorabilia.

But in the eyes of the scholarly folk at the CAUT, this change of identity is a politically motivated initiative that will use history as a tool for supporting the Harper gang’s political agenda.

Liberal heritage critic Scott Simms warned that the government “will concentrate on the historical events and symbols that best fit with their narrative.”

Really? Call me naïve, but I take the view that this is a wonderful opportunity for Canadians to mythologize their own history in a great national museum.

It would be a stretch to say Harper has always been a great supporter of Canadian culture, so perhaps it is unsurprising there would be a certain amount of paranoia among the intelligentsia about any big change.

But for once I actually agree with Heritage Minister James Moore, who said, “Canadians deserve a national museum of history that tells our stories and presents our country’s treasures to the world.”

This strikes me as far from an evil plot being imposed by a repressive government on the dedicated staff who work at the museum. In fact, the staff are excited and energized by the opportunity to improve their museum.

O’Neill, who oversees both the Canadian Museum of Civilization and the Canadian War Museum, explained in a phone chat the other day that the most popular and successful sections of the museum, such as the Grand Hall and the First Peoples gallery, will not be touched. And no one will mess with Douglas Cardinal’s great architectural design. It’s the somewhat tired and limited Canada Hall and Face to Face exhibit on the two upper levels that will be replaced with new exhibitions that attempt to chronicle the Canadian national narrative.

Of course, we all know that especially when it comes to culture, God is in the details. And in this case, it’s way too soon to know what the details will be. But I’d say there is every reason for optimism.

More on thestar.com

We value respectful and thoughtful discussion. Readers are encouraged to flag comments that fail to meet the standards outlined in our
Community Code of Conduct.
For further information, including our legal guidelines, please see our full website
Terms and Conditions.